"Mr. Mercer? I heard you were fired. Why are you here?"
Closing the front door behind me, I approached the front desk and responded to the receptionist.
"…I'm here to pick up some of my stuff—and to hand in my tag."
She made a small sound before nodding and gesturing toward the staff area.
"Please leave your tag here after you get your belongings."
I nodded and walked through the door, greeted immediately by the sharp smell of cleaning products.
They already got someone else?
Sighing, I made my way to another door.
— Clearance Level 3 —
Swiping my tag on the scanner, the door unlocked with a dull beep. I pushed it open.
'They should really get that sorted…'
For a company with connections to LexCorp, the security here was garbage. Didn't matter what kind of tag you had—they all worked the same.
'Not that it matters now…'
Moving past tables filled with various types of medicine, I scanned the room for a briefcase marked with the LexCorp logo.
"Did you hear?"
Eyes widening, I ducked behind a counter as footsteps and voices approached.
"Hear what?"
A snort, followed by the sound of something being set on the counter above me.
"Heard from someone who heard that the word upstairs is there's a super drug being developed."
'Super weed?'
I didn't get to hear the rest—the voices kept talking and walking away.
"Right… Did you know my daughter's birthday is tomorrow? She wants a Nightwing doll."
I waited a few moments, legs like jelly from the fear of being caught, before finally standing. Continuing deeper into the building, I passed through another security door with my tag.
"…Where is it?"
I was in the storage room now, surrounded by towering stacks of boxes.
"Is that it?"
Tucked beneath a few boxes was the LexCorp logo. I walked over, knelt down and pulled the case free, causing some of the boxes to shift and topple slightly.
'Please don't need a key…'
Flipping the briefcase around, I saw it matched the one from the photo perfectly, complete with a latch. I undid it.
Inside were vials filled with that same golden-hued liquid.
"Project Titan?"
Taking one out, I admired how it shimmered like liquid gold—until a door slammed nearby.
'Break must be over.'
Closing the briefcase, I stood and quickly hid against the wall beside the door just as it opened. Two people in suits walked in, unaware of me.
'The same guys from earlier today.'
As they moved deeper into the room, I slipped out and ducked behind a counter.
Then I heard it—shouting, panic.
"The case is gone!"
'Great…'
Sighing, I waited for them to run out the door. Once the coast was clear, I glanced around and saw a large white lab coat dangling from a chair. Frowning, I decided to bet on whatever luck I had left.
I grabbed the coat, opened the briefcase and quickly stuffed the vials inside before wrapping them up. Then, holding the bundle tightly, I walked out the door.
"Mercy?"
I froze.
As the lab door clicked shut behind me, I saw him—my boss. My uncle. Staring right at me.
"What are you doing here?"
I opened my mouth, then shut it again, and pointed to the coffeemaker in the corner.
"…I wanted to make you a coffee. One last time. And to grab my stuff."
He frowned, raising an eyebrow before giving me a smile I knew wasn't real.
"Well, I'm happy you'd do that for me, but we're a little busy right now. What did you need to get? I could've brought it to you."
I twitched slightly, then gestured to the bundle in my hands.
"Energy drinks."
He hummed, unconvinced, but didn't press further. Instead, he moved to sit at a small table nearby.
"I should be able to spare a few moments. How about we have one last drink? Pop open an energy drink for yourself. I'll have coffee."
I nodded and walked over to the coffeemaker, gently placing the bundle on the bench. I grabbed a paper cup and started making his coffee.
"Uncle… you said you were busy?"
He chuckled as the machine began whirring to life.
"The usual. Sometimes people forget to empty their pockets and accidentally take something home from work. Nothing too problematic."
I slowly nodded, even though his back was to me.
"Remember your own drink, Mercy."
I gave a small hum—then froze.
'I don't have any energy drinks.'
Panic flared in my chest. I glanced over and saw Uncle checking his phone. Turning back to the coffeemaker, I quickly checked my pockets.
'What's…'
My fingers brushed something cold and glassy. I pulled it out.
A vial.
'Must've slipped it in when I was checking them earlier.'
The coffeemaker beeped. Finished.
Sweat beaded on my brow.
Looking down at the vial of golden liquid, I swallowed hard. Then I grabbed another paper cup, popped the vial's cap and emptied its contents into the cup.
'What's the worst that could happen?'
I picked up both cups—his coffee and my… whatever—and walked over to the table.
Placing his cup in front of him, I met his eyes as he looked up from his phone, flashing that same false smile. I returned a faint one of my own while keeping my gaze fixed on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Mercy. Cheers to a good life?"
He raised his cup. I looked at mine and hesitated. Then, slowly, I brought it to meet his.
"…To a good life."
Our cups clinked softly, liquid sloshing inside. We each took a sip, letting it slide down our throats.
Warm.
The liquid felt like warm honey going down. Smooth. No aftertaste. Just warmth.
"Well, I'm sure you're busy, Mercy. See you around."
He gestured toward the door.
I nodded, grabbed the bundle, and left.
'Hopefully, we never meet again.'
-
The alley was somehow both warm and cold as I waited in the rain for my plug.
'Winter's gonna be bad this year…'
Sighing, rain pouring down my coat, I heard an engine drawing closer—tires sloshing through wet asphalt. I looked toward the other end of the alley just as the plug's car pulled up.
The engine cut. He got out.
"Mercy! Didn't think you'd actually show."
I walked up to him, lab bag in hand, water dripping from every part of me. I looked past his neck and held the bundle out.
"I only saw one briefcase, with one already being used."
He took the bundle with a frown.
"Used?"
I scratched my neck and nodded.
"I accidentally dropped one while transferring them."
Relief passed over his face.
"That's good… that's good. Anyway!"
He walked to the back of the car and popped the boot. I followed. He placed the bundle next to a cooler, untied it, and began sliding the vials inside.
"Looks like there's thirteen total—niiiice."
He slammed the boot shut, then moved to the passenger seat and pulled out a bag.
"Here's your cut."
Kneeling, I opened the bag and did a quick count.
"Um… s-shouldn't there be more?"
He chuckled as he walked up to me. I looked up.
"It's a fee. I get thirty-five, you get twenty."
I sighed. No point arguing.
"Thanks…" I muttered, closing the bag.
Click.
Cold, wet metal pressed against the back of my skull. I froze.
"Though that seems a little too generous, don't ya think, Mercy?"
My throat dried in the rain.
"O…okay…" It barely came out as a whisper. The rain only got heavier.
"Take out five grand. That's your final cut."
I nodded, wincing as the barrel pushed harder. I opened the bag again, reaching for a wad of cash—
SHINK
The metal vanished. I flinched, curling into myself as a scream echoed behind me.
"Motherfucker! Who—"
I curled tighter, drenched and shaking, but I caught a glimpse of what he saw.
Batman.
And he was already in front of my plug—fist outstretched.